Round 11 of the Formula 1 2024 season travels the Styrian mountains to race around the Red Bull Racing Ring to host the Austrian Grand Prix. And for the third time this season, the Sprint Weekend format returns. This means less time for teams to practice and fine-tune the car set-up within one hour in Friday’s only practice session. For the spectators, it means only one thing: MORE track action!
Heritage and History of the Austrian Grand Prix
Embed from Getty ImagesLocated in Styria, near Spielberg, Formula 1 travels northeast to 75 kilometres from the nearest city, Graz, which is located southeast of the Red Bull Racing Ring. In 1969, they identified the track as the Osterreichring, replacing the Zeltweg Airfield Circuit, now known as the Fliegerhorst Hinterstoisse, home to the Austrian Air Force.
From 1969 to 1995, the Osterreichring became synonymous with its rapid 65-metre elevated changes and 10-metre width, thus becoming a demand and high-speed circuit of its time in Formula 1. Also making, it was notorious due to the little run areas the Osterreichring possessed, most notably the Bosch Kurve at Turn 6, where cars could reach speeds of over 300 km/h.
As the years went by, safety concerns became a focal point when the McLaren-TAG of Stefan Johansson hit a deer during a practice session in 1987, luckily to escape the incident with his life. Since then, the Osterreichring has created concerns over safety and some spectacles for the Austrian fans. Mainly in 1984, home hero Niki Lauda took the chequered flag 23 seconds ahead of his rival Nelson Piquet.
However, by the 1990s, the Osterreichring had reached more pressure about safety concerns, and the track had undergone several changes to the circuit’s layout. The main modifications featured removing the Hella-Light, Flatschach, and Dr Tiroch Kruve corners and replacing them with three right-hand corners to increase overtaking opportunities. Thereby removing the 180-degree corner (Bosch Kurve) to a tighter corner.
Osterreichring to A1-Ring
Embed from Getty ImagesIn 1997, Formula 1 returned to what would be renowned as the A1-Ring until the end of 2003. Within the era of racing, Formula 1 witnessed a controversial moment, mainly in 2002. We witness the prancing horses of Ferrari, Michael Schumacher, and Rubens Barrichello, set to take a one-two victory, with Rubens taking the chequered flag. However, Ross Brawn instructed Rubens to let Schumacher by for the win as Michael was already reluctant to accept team orders. But Barrichello let Schumacher by for the win, creating a controversial ending for the 2002 Austrian Grand Prix.
The Return of the Austrian Grand Prix
Embed from Getty ImagesIn July 2013, Red Bull GmbH approached Bernie Ecclestone, the Chief Executive at the time of Formula 1, to revive Formula 1 within the Styrian Alps after a 10-year absence from the Formula 1 calendar. An agreement was made, and Formula 1 would return to Spielberg at the dawn of the hybrid era to once again host the Austrian Grand Prix. With this new agreement came a new name: the A1 Ring would now be known as the Red Bull Ring.
Track Layout
Embed from Getty ImagesSince its return in 2014, the Red Bull Ring has not converted any changes to the layout as the track features ten turns in total, three to the left and seven to the right. Featuring 71 laps in the Styrian Alps, we’ll hear 306 kilometres of the V6 engines roaring around the Red Bull Ring, with each lap consisting of 4.3 kilometres. And this weekend, hopefully, the fans will witness more overtaking – as the track features three DRS zones. Starting from the Start/Finish line, the next activity is climbing the hill to Turns 2 and 3. And the final DRS races down to Turn 4, where the Bosch Kurve used to be.
Iconic Features
Embed from Getty ImagesOne of the most distinguishing features of the Red Bull Ring is the lap times. The lap record is currently set by Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz from 2020, setting a 1:05.619. This lap time is the shortest set among all the tracks on the Formula 1 calendar. The fastest lap times for race fans create tighter times during the qualifying sessions and more track action in the Grand Prix. There are three overtaking possibilities, all with the aid of DRS from Turn 1 to Turn 4.
Memorable Races at The Austrian Grand Prix
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Austrian Grand Prix has hosted controversial and exciting moments in the Styrian Alps. One of the most notable races within the hybrid era was the duel between Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen in 2019. In a titanic battle for the lead in the Grand Prix, it would be the Flying Dutchman who would reign supreme.
With three laps to go, Verstappen lunged into Turn 3, forcing the Ferrari driver wide out of the exit of Turn 3 and stealing the lead of the Grand Prix – taking his second win in the Styrian Alps. As well as, mentioning before a controversial ending in the Styrian Alps would be 2002. Rubens Barrichello got the instruction from Ross Brawn to relinquish a potential win to Michael Schumacher.
Live Timings
Embed from Getty ImagesThursday (27th June)
12:30 pm – Live Drivers’ Press Conference
Friday (28th June)
11:00 am – Austrian Grand Prix Practice One – (Session begins at 11:30 am)
3:00 pm – Austrian Grand Prix Sprint Qualifying – (Session begins at 3:30 pm)
Saturday (29th June)
10:00 am – Austrian Grand Prix Sprint Race (Session begins at 11:00 am)
2:15 pm – Austrian Grand Prix Qualifying (Session begins at 3:00 pm)
Sunday (30th June)
12:30 pm – Austrian Grand Prix (Session begins at 2:00 pm)
If you would like to learn more news about the world of Formula 1? Then why not check out “Why Was Lando Norris Frustrated After the Spanish Grand Prix?” or “Spanish Grand Prix: The Crucible of Barcelona.”
Image Credit: Deposit Images